After Paa, Balki and Big B to team up again

Mumbai: Writer-director R Balki and megastar Amitabh Bachchan, who earlier teamed up for movies like Cheeni Kum and Paa, will again come together for a film that Balki is writing with the veteran actor in mind. “Once she (Balki’s wife Gauri Shinde who is making English Vinglish) finishes then I will start directing. Of course, my next project is with Mr Bachchan. I am writing the film hence can’t talk about it,” R Balki told PTI. [caption id=“attachment_331130” align=“alignleft” width=“380” caption=“Reuters”]  [/caption] Popularly known as Balki, R Balakrishnan wrote and directed off-beat movies with Bachchan, but they always proved to be hitting the right chord with audience and leaving a mark at the box office. He made Cheeni Kum (2007), a different kind of a romantic film, in which Tabu played a 34-year-old who falls in love with a 60-plus Bachchan. In Paa (2009), Bachchan played the role of a progeria (rare genetic condition) patient and emphasised on a strong father-son relationship. The film went on to win various awards including the coveted National award. Balki’s association with Amitabh goes a long way since he worked with the megastar in many of his ad films. Earlier, Balki once said that it was only after he had made some 10-14 ad films with Bachchan that he got the confidence to approach the actor for his own movie. Meanwhile, Balki has written and produced wife Gauri Shinde’s directorial debut film ‘English Vinglish’, in which noted actress Sridevi is making her comeback in Bollywood. ‘English Vinglish’ is a fun-filled slice-of-life movie exploring the impact of not knowing English language in everyday life. “I am jealous of her (Gauri) as she got to work with Sridevi before me,” Balki said. The film is set to release on 21 September. PTI